Notice

Check if you can claim ESA

You might be able to get Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you have difficulty working because you’re sick or disabled. This is called having 'limited capability for work'.

Coronavirus - if you’ve been affected

You'll have limited capability for work and you won’t need to provide a fit note if any of the following apply:

you or your child think you have coronavirus or you’re recovering from it

you or your child are self-isolating because you came into contact with someone who might have coronavirus

you’ve been told to stay at home for at least 12 weeks by the NHS because you’re at high risk of severe illness if you get coronavirus

You can get ESA at the same time as other benefits like Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

You can’t usually get ESA at the same time as Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or Income Support.

If you’re employed but you can’t work, you’ll usually get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from your employer for 28 weeks. You can’t get SSP and ESA at the same time, but you can start your ESA claim up to 3 months before your SSP ends. It’s worth claiming ESA early so your payments start as soon as possible.

if you live with a partner, they must work less than 24 hours each week

If you live with a partner, the DWP will add your income and savings together.

If you’re in full time education, you can only get income-related ESA if you also get Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).